Senior Director of Behavioral Health

NORTHERN CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Join Our Team as a Senior Director of Behavioral Health and help make a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families! 

Benefits:  

• We offer comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees.
• Life Insurance/AD&D and LTD: We provide full-time employees with a $20,000 life insurance policy through Mutual of Omaha Company at no cost. Additionally, Mutual of Omaha LTD coverage and AD&D insurance offer financial security to our employees and their families.
• A partner insurance company offers a range of self-funded insurance plans, including accident insurance, cancer insurance, life insurance, critical illness coverage, and short-term disability insurance, providing additional financial protection to our employees.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: We offer a 401(k)-savings plan with a generous matching contribution after one year of employment.
• NCS Educational Expense Reimbursement program 
• Paid Leave: Employees have access to generous paid time off or sick leave, allowing them to prioritize their health and well-being.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Our EAP offers confidential referral and counseling services to help employees and their families manage life's challenges, including stress management, legal and financial concerns, depression, and substance abuse.
• Legal Services: Self-funded legal services provide valuable support and resources for various legal matters.

POSITION SUMMARY 

Northern Children’s Services (Northern) is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking Senior Director of Behavioral Health (Senior Director) to lead a dynamic and evolving department serving children, youth, and families across Philadelphia.  

This leadership role requires a leader who is strategic and mission-driven with strong capacity to integrate clinical expertise and excellence with strong administrative discipline, embraces data and measurable outcomes, and is committed to building a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and solid, achievable outcomes. The Senior Director will play a pivotal role in ensuring that our behavioral health services not only meet regulatory standards — but demonstrably improve lives. 

The Senior Director provides oversight and ensures high-quality clinical care across all Northern’s Behavioral Health Programs and services:  Intensive Behavioral Health Services (IBHS), Outpatient, Early Intervention, Wellness & Resiliency, and psychiatric (medication management),  

This role requires advanced clinical licensure, extensive leadership and management experience, and strategic vision for growth, innovation, and sustainability.  

The Senior Director is responsible for ensuring: 

• High-quality, evidence-based clinical care 
• Strong census and financial sustainability 
• Measurable client outcomes 
• Clear performance accountability (including existing benchmarks, client surveys, quality assurance, and city and state audits 
• Effective supervision structures 
• Cross-department collaboration 
• A culture of professionalism, transparency, and continuous improvement 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

This is not solely a clinical oversight role. It is an executive leadership position requiring strategic thinking, operational discipline, data and financial fluency, and the ability to positively influence and shape culture within the department.  

1. Clinical Excellence & Systems Oversight 

Clinical excellence must be paired with structured systems that sustain quality. 

2. Executive & Strategic Leadership 

3. Administrative Leadership & Operational Discipline 

4. Data, Benchmarks & Outcomes Ownership 

Northern is a data-informed organization. The Senior Director must embrace and promote that value. The Senior Director must actively bring Behavioral Health leaders along in understanding, using, and valuing data as part of professional practice. 

5. Financial & Census Accountability 

The Senior Director is accountable for the financial health and sustainability of Northern’s BH programs. 

6. Performance Accountability & Leadership Integrity 

The Senior Director must model strong, fair, and consistent accountability. 

7. Clarity of Expectations & Supervisory Discipline 

8. Openness to Innovation & Continuous Improvement 

The Senior Director must demonstrate openness to new ideas, regardless of where they originate from - including front-line staff and cross-department colleagues. 

9. Cross Department Collaboration  

Collaboration is an executive expectation. Northern’s Behavioral Health Department must operate as an integrated component of the organization’s broader mission and strategic priorities. 

10. Professional Culture & Organizational Trust 

The Senior Director is responsible for shaping a culture of professionalism and transparent communication at all levels. 

REQUIRED EDUCATION & LICENSURE 

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or related field 
• One or more of the following licenses (active and issued by PA Commonwealth:  
• Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) 
• Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) with Mental Health Certification 
• Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) 
• Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS) 
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 
• Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) 
• Licensed Psychologist (Psy.D. or Ph.D.) 
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC),  
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) 
• Licensed Physician (practicing psychiatry) 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE 

• At least four (4) years of experience in a senior managerial/leadership role in an organization providing behavioral health treatment of a clinical nature to children, adolescents, and families in residential, inpatient, outpatient and/or educational settings, with a minimum of five (s) years of clinical supervision experience, with at least two (2) of these years related to directly serving children and youth. 
• Deep knowledge of OMHSAS, DBHIDS, CBH, and other key entities and correlating regulations and requirements. Knowledge of the child welfare system is a strong plus. Strong relationships with stakeholders in all these agencies. 
• Passionate about Northern's mission and able to promote and communicate the philosophy, mission, and core values of Northern to external and internal stakeholders. 
• Strong relationship builder and communicator with experience leading diverse work teams, developing an organization-wide strategy for program excellence, engaging community partners, and partnering with Northern's Leadership Team. 

Preferred: 

• Direct experience managing and working in IBHS 

CORE COMPETENCIES 

• Analytical thinker with operational follow-through 
• Strong administrative and financial acumen 
• Data-literate and outcomes-oriented 
• Clear, direct communicator 
• High emotional intelligence 
• Courageous accountability 
• Collaborative and cross-functional 

Trauma-Informed Principles

Northern Children’s Services is committed to fostering a therapeutic environment rooted in safety, nonviolence, and resilience. Our policies are guided by trauma-informed principles, ensuring that we create a supportive and healing atmosphere for clients and staff.

A trauma-informed approach recognizes that past experiences, including trauma, can significantly impact a person’s behavior, emotions, and interactions. Therefore, we strive to:

• Use emotional intelligence: Respond with empathy and awareness, even in difficult situations.
• Communicate effectively: Listen actively, ask clarifying questions, and avoid judgmental language.
• Understand trauma’s impact: Be aware that clients or colleagues may react based on past experiences, not just the present moment.
• Apply person-first, strengths-based language: Focus on people’s strengths and abilities rather than defining them by their challenges (e.g., saying "a person experiencing homelessness" instead of "a homeless person").

By adhering to these principles, we ensure that our workplace is not only effective but also compassionate and inclusive for everyone.

Americans with Disabilities: As with all positions at Northern Children’s Services, Inc. we recognize the importance of accommodations individuals with disabilities. In that, we are committed to every extent possible accommodating disabled individual. We recognize the American With Disabilities Act of 1991 and understand the need to reasonably accommodate employees. All accommodation will be evaluated on a case- by case basis, evaluating the essential functions of the positions.

DISCRIMINATION IS PROHIBITED IN EMPLOYMENT, PROMOTION, ASSIGNMENT OR DISMISSAL, ON THE BASIS OF RACE, RELIGION, COLOR, AGE, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, and HANDICAP, OR RECEIPT OF SERVICES FOR MENTAL DISABILITY.